Who Will Take Care of the Kids

Who Will Take Care of the Kids if Something Happens to Me?

If you have one or more minor children, you will need to name a Guardian for them in your Will or Living Trust. Your Guardian will make personal and financial decisions for any of your minor children if you are no longer living or incapacitated and can no longer take care of them. Without a named Guardian, the court will pick whomever they want, and your wishes will never be known. Although the local probate court actually appoints the Guardians, the court almost always appoints the person named in the parent’s Will.

Factors to consider when deciding on a Guardian are the person’s:

Child rearing skills

Similar or compatible religious beliefs

Family situation—if there are other children in the person’s household similar in age to your children

Integrity and stability

Physical ability to care for your children

Job situation—to ensure they have time to care for your children

Financial lifestyle and philosophy

Geographical location

Note that you may decide to name someone other than your Guardian to manage and invest your child’s assets (i.e., in a living trust for your child), so the Guardian does not necessarily need to have great money management skills.
If you’re married, have this conversation with your spouse right away. If you’re a single parent, discuss it with another trusted adult. Then create your Guardianship papers. Should the unthinkable happen, your kids will be protected.

About Kris Miller

For the past 20 years, my clients have relied on me as a PREtirement and living trust expert. I’ve become known as The Money Maestro,
Credentials for Kris Miller, ChFEBS, CSA, LDA
Certified Senior Advisor and Estate Planning Specialist for more than 20 years
Charted Federal Employee Benefit Specialist
Licensed Legal Document Assistant (Paralegal in California)
Licensed to offer life insurance and long-term care insurance (State of California and Tennessee)
Owner of Trusts Unlimited and The Living Trust Institute, a legal and financial document preparation service
Member, Society of Senior Advisors
Member, National Speakers Association
Experienced speaker offering keynotes, seminars, and workshops on retirement and estate planning throughout the United States
Nominated as 2010 Woman of the Year and best Customer Service by the Hemet, California, Chamber of Commerce
Nominee and winner in three categories in the National American Country Music Awards and Inspirational Country Music Awards for songwriting (2008, 2009, 2010)
Nominated Inspirational Music’s Songwriter of the Year

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